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Chapter 58 – The Chiefs Approve Mike and Helen
They were camped in the big meadow near the Ranger camp. Chief Brooks and his Rangers were preparing a feast for the Riders and the Aztec. The Aztec and the Rangers found much in common, including the legends of Lou Harriman. The Ranger ancestors, who were the Bucks until recently, had captured Lou near what is now Kennedy and brought her to the Bucks encampment not far from this meadow. Lou was cruelly bound on what has been known ever since as Lou's Ride for the last miles of the trip. Lou's bravery, wisdom, and dedication won the hearts of the Bucks and their Chief, William Brooks. Chief Brooks accepted Lou's leadership in resisting being wiped out by the Colonists and facilitated her meeting with other tribes.
Chief Dan Brooks warmly welcomed Lou, and once again, Lou had to recite her story to the Chief and his Rangers. When she finished, the Rangers cried, "How! How! How!" to be echoed by the same cry from the Aztec. Chief Brooks said, "Captain Lou Harriman, we never expect to see legends come true before us. Yet, here you are. So much has happened and just a year or so. We feast tonight, and tomorrow you can rest for a day before resuming your journey to Unihold. Medico Stevens, my old friend, it is good to see you again, especially with the beautiful Rita Smith. You will have your Final Courtship at Unihold? A company of Rangers and I will accompany your band, further ensuring the safety of Lou Harriman."
Lou said, "Chief Brooks, it is wonderful to see the line of Brooks's leadership continues with wisdom, strength, and compassion. Your daughter, Stella, has been a major asset in assuring the meeting of the Aztec and the Colonists was friendly. Thank you for her and for this warm welcome."
Pat Katzman spoke next, "I, too, thank you and everyone involved in this journey. When we began, we were just a small Aztec Raid with the awesome responsibility of escorting Lou Harriman to Unihold. We did not dream of the forces that were against us. Now, we are all united in the mission to deliver Lou to Unihold. I, and all Aztec, thank all of you."
A company-sized force of riders was entering the meadow from the west. Rider Troops, Aztec, and Rangers assumed the position of defense. As the company approached, they could see Chief Gomez and his Riders, formally known as Comanche. Chief Gomez pulled his company to a halt when they were within speaking distance and said, "Hail, Chief Brooks, Ralph Rider, and Carlos McTavrish, And I assume that these fine-looking men are the Aztec, of whom we have heard but never seen. Hail all, we are here to join you. Did you think we would let you have all the fun?"
Chief Brooks replied, “Hail, Chief Gomez, old friend.” They had not always been friends. “You are just in time. Pitch your camp. But then, our feast should be ready for us. Your daughter is here, of course.”
Carmen Rider rode to her father at a gallop. "Hail, Chief. Father, meeting you here is as good as it is unexpected."
“Dear Carmen, it is good to see you too. I have much to tell the leadership. You know that we have always specialized in spying. Could you arrange a meeting as quickly as possible?"
“As you wish." Carmen wheeled her horse and galloped back to Chief Brooks. Less than half an hour later, the extended Team met in a tent pavilion erected in the big meadow. The extended Team was the regular Team plus Lou Harriman, the Chiefs, Chief Brooks and Chief Gomez, and the Raid Leader, Pat Katzman.
They were on Chief Brooks's home turf, and he spoke first, turning the meeting over to Chief Gomez. "Thank you, Chief Brooks. So many of you should be greeted individually. You need to know what my spies have discovered. First, we all already knew that Aaron Johansson was hidden in the mountain wilderness north of here. Second, we have assumed that this wilderness was largely uninhabited. This assumption is false. There are many settlements, mainly to the very far north. The population of these settlements is greater than the number of people loyal to Unihold. Third, it was assumed that the terrain in this wilderness was essentially unpassable because of the mountains' steepness and the forest's density. That, also, is false. We have found several well-hidden trails that can support heavy wagons. These trails give the Johanssons access to our civilization from different directions.
“By itself, these items are a problem but not a crisis. We have successfully infiltrated the Johansson ranks with one of our warriors. We, the Riders, have not yet received radios from Unihold. We are told that will be corrected soon. But for now, our communications link with our warrior embedded with the Johanssons is painfully slow. What I will tell you now is at least a month old. Aaron Johansson is a master strategist. He had a spy in Unihold and learned that Lou Harriman had returned and was traveling to Unihold from the southwest. He predicted that you would come this way with Lou and are planning an ambush with a large force as you leave the mountain forest on the trail to Kennedy. I cannot say what the size of his force will be, but I believe that with the addition of my company, your size and theirs will be roughly equivalent. And, finally, one piece of good news. The Johanssons believe that katana production has not been solved and that we will be armed with relatively few of these weapons."
Ralph Rider, because of his ownership of Rider Ranch, his command of the Rider Troops, his production of katana that had armed all of these forces, and his past performance as a leader, was the commander of this expedition. He said, “Chief Gomez, thank you for that intelligence report. Can you give us any estimate of the weapons we will face?”
“Yes, they have a plentiful amount of crossbows, but not of Archer quality. (To understand this comment, read the story, a
Tale of an Archer.) I cannot say how well they are trained to use them. They also have excellent long bows in limited numbers but with warriors trained to use them for generations. That, I think, will be your most deadly threat. Besides those two things, they have the usual swords and knives we all used before you introduced us to the katana. Aaron's sister, Carol Johansson, will be with the ambush. She is a shrewd woman and, I hear, very beautiful. She may be the brains behind the present Johansson initiative."
Lou Harriman asked, "Is there another route we could take to Unihold?"
“Yes, but it would add weeks to your journey,” Chief Brooks replied. “I was told that time is of the essence. If we changed routes, it would not take the Johanssons long to learn of it and adjust their plans accordingly. I favor that we proceed to an engagement with them.”
Ralph Rider decided, "I agree, Chief Brooks. Are there further comments?" There were not. "Then, for this afternoon and tonight, let us enjoy this feast."
As the Team was leaving the pavilion, Stella and Carmen went to hug their fathers. Chief Gomez said, "You are both looking well; being mated agrees with you, wouldn't you say, Chief Brooks?"
“Father, Chief Brooks," Carmen said, "I would like you to meet two friends of ours who have helped keep us alive. They wish to ask you something. May they?" Helen and Mike moved up between Carmen and Stella. "This is Helen Wayne and Mike Mullins. Without their help, my experience on Lou's Ride could have been fatal. Helen and Mike, Chief Gomez and Chief Brooks."
Chief Brooks said, "We have heard the story of your Lou's Ride exploit, Carmen," replied Chief Brooks. "It turned out to be much longer than you expected if the stories have it right. Mike, Helen, you could speak to us without the intercession of our daughters. Be assured that you have our undivided attention."
Mike said, "Chiefs, it is an honor to meet you. I am a simple trooper, caught up in these sweeping affairs. I am in love with this woman, Helen Wayne, who has been much more of a player in these events than I. Helen has spent much time with Stella and Carmen and has taken to Bandit ways. We wish to marry in both the Colony tradition and the Bandit tradition. We are here seeking your blessings."
Stella said, "Mike was a squad leader for Carl Johansson. He met Helen, holding her prisoner. But when he met us, he saw we were on the right and switched sides. His squad was loyal to him and trusted him. They switched sides as well. He was severely wounded trying to save us from the Lou's Ride."
Chief Gomez said, "We all agree it is time to merge Bandits and Colonists. In doing so, we must take the best traditions of both groups. I support your endeavor. What do you think, Chief Brooks?"
“You have said it exactly right, Chief. I, too, will support this. Shall we appoint the Courtship Guardians?” replied Dan Brooks.
Stella spoke up, “Carmen and I wish to serve. I am certain that Lou Harriman and Jan Jones Katzman would also like to serve.”
Chief Gomez said, “Then you are appointed. Do you wish a fifth?”
Helen answered, "Lou is a Colonist and a Bandit. I think another Colonist here will be entering the Final Courtship soon. Rita Smith is with Medico Frank Stevens. They plan on their Final Courtship at Unihold. Could Rita serve?"
Chief Brooks said, “If she is chosen by Medico Stevens, she is clearly a fine person. Yes, she may serve.”
-----
That night, Rita told Frank Stevens what was happening. "Helen and Mike are going to begin their Final Courtship. They have decided to begin after the coming battle with the Johanssons. And I have been appointed by Chief Brooks and Chief Gomez as one of their Courtship Guardians."
“That is wonderful news, Rita," said Frank. Although they are Colonists, Helen has been diligent in learning Bandit ways. She is also progressing amazingly fast in developing her skill with the katana. And, I think she is like you, dominant in most of her life but submissive with her man."
“How would you know that?” Rita asked.
“She is in love with Mike Mullins, who was wounded at the Battle of the Flats, I treated him, and he talked to me under the influence of painkillers. Now, why are you still dressed?"
Rita obeyed, thinking how nice it was to be with a powerful man she loved. Everyone respected the Medico, and even with the tent's thin walls, all would respect their privacy. Without being told, Rita turned her back to Frank and presented her arms in the modified reverse prayer position. Her wrists were crossed. Frank took four turns of rope around her wrists vertically. But then he surprised her by pulling her hands below her elbows before taking horizontal wraps and cinching.
He said, “We did the reverse prayer. Of course, we will revisit it again. But variety is the spice of life. Tonight, I am going to tie you in a strappado. For this, tying the elbows is optional. But to help you prepare for our Final Courtship, I will add that to your stress.”
After tying her elbows close together, Frank placed one hand behind her head and pushed down as he lifted her hands. He used a short rope to attach her hands to a hook on the tent pole. Rita's head was almost as low as her butt. She felt the strain on her shoulders, but it wasn't painful yet. "I can see that a man might like his sub tied this way. My tits are dangling nicely for you. My mouth could reach you should you wish to be serviced that way. My back and butt are well exposed if you decide to flog me. I do have some freedom. I could kick if I wished."
"Normally," Frank told Rita, "the legs are tied together or to a spreader bar holding the feet apart. I thought that we would forgo that tonight. How is your balance? Is everything okay?"
“My balance seems fine. I don’t see any problem there. I feel the stress in my shoulders but no difficulty yet.”
“Good girl! You are learning to report your status to me. I must always know your status, both the good and the bad. I am sure you have also noticed that your position gives me good access to your vagina. Your anus as well, but I chose not to use that for sexual purposes." Frank stroked and fingered her sex until it was well-lubricated. Then he inserted himself into Rita and began thrusting.
“Notice that as I thrust into you, you swing forward. But the strappado pulls you back. I can hold your hips to help with that." Frank did. "Or, I can bend over you and hold your breasts like this." Again, Frank demonstrated. "I am fond of holding your tits while I thrust into you, Rita."
“I rather enjoy that as well,” Rita answered. “I am going to have to work on my imagination. I did not foresee this coming.”
Frank responded by standing straight again, holding her hips, and delivering his most vigorous thrusts. It was less than a dozen of those strokes later that Rita said, "I'm going to cum, Frank. I should be gagged. It is so hard not to screeeeeeeem!" she moaned as quietly as she could. Frank did not answer immediately. He was clenching his jaw as he climaxed with his love.
Shortly later, Frank lowered Rita’s arms from the strappado and used damp cloths to clean the two of them. “You know that a gag generally does not keep you quiet. It just makes your speech unintelligible.”
Rita said, “I know. I know. It is just so hard not to scream with such intense pleasure.”
-----
Six years ago:
Carol Johansson was nineteen when she arrived at Kennedy. Kennedy was a long distance from her home in the mountains. Remember that the Newhome year is longer than the Earth year. In Earth years, Carol would be almost twenty-two years old. She stayed in an inn that night and used the remaining daylight hours to see some sights she had heard of and studied all her life.
First and foremost, she walked from the inn to the gated and fenced home of her ancestor, Magnus Johansson. It was now a museum. She would not bother to enter the museum because she knew the story it would tell of Magnus would be far different from the truth that his progeny were brought up to know.
She would also visit the site of the original Colony headquarter, where Magnus' colleague, Admiral Joe Houston, had ruled the Colony. Ultimately, the Admiral failed to stand by Magnus and was a significant factor in the Colony's opinion of Magnus. The most critical factor was Unihold, where she would report in the morning. Carol's hatred of the Colony in general and Unihold in specific was not boiling over. It was cold hate nurtured by years of study and thought. She would show none of it when she reported to Unihold in the morning for her year of training. She needed this training to learn as much as she could about Unihold. Then she would return home to devote herself to helping her brother, Aaron, either destroy or take control of the institution.
The first month was nothing less than hell. Out of bed to group calisthenics, breakfast, a group run, the morning class, strength training, another run, lunch, an hour quiet time, which every student used for a nap, calisthenics again, the afternoon class, hand-to-hand combat training, the afternoon group run, clean up time, dinner, the sunset hike, shower, and to bed. Repeat again and again. Not keeping up with the group meant additional physical training reducing time for sleep. The only break came once a week when activity was halted midafternoon so the students could do their laundry, clean their rooms, and possibly even write home. A student could quit anytime, but that meant being sent home. In the beginning, they had two hundred and fifty students. After a month, they were down to one hundred and fifty.
Carol thrived on this routine. She had been training since she was a small child. Her training had included martial arts as well. Master Jim Carling was Carol's hand-to-hand combat instructor, and he quickly saw that she was leagues beyond the rest of the students in martial arts proficiency. She became the de facto assistant instructor.
Each month, more class time was added. While that ate into the physical training schedule, the physical training simply became more intense. Master Carling was also an instructor in the electronics courses. It was assumed the students were educated and fit before arriving at Unihold. Unihold's goal was to fine-tune their fitness, fill in any gaps in the student's education, and extend it in almost every case. The reader should note that the twelve-month course would be close to fourteen Earth months.
Carol was particularly interested in electronics. Electricity was well-known in Newhome but was not generally available. And where it was, that availability was, at best, sporadic. But Unihold was the exception. Electricity, direct and alternating current, was available and reliable. Instructors were available to students outside class time, and Carol had many questions for Master Carling. Jim Carling, in turn, was always happy to talk to Carol Johansson. His eye had observed her statuesque body as his mind had focused on her keen intellect.
For her part, Carol was not interested in Master Carling physically. But she craved what he could provide to her knowledge that would advance the Johansson cause. And so Carol studied the Master keenly, observing everything she could about him. Carol knew that she stimulated him sexually. But she also noticed that Carling was interested in Barbara Simmons, a young woman on the Unihold support staff.
-----
A List of my stories:
An Unlikely Savior Completed
Spy Task Force Completed
Tale of an Archer Completed
The Bandit Scout on Newhome updated 05/20/23
